Consumerist
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we are devo
McDonald's Sued By Devo Over Happy Meal Toy
The band Devo is suing McDonald's over a toy which bears a striking resemblance to the band's signature look made popular in the 80's. The "American Idol" series of happy-meal toys features plastic characters that play their own little tune when activated. "New Wave Nigel" depicts a character wearing the band's famous "energy dome" and even plays a song that sounds Devo-esque. Unfortunately for McDonald's, that little hat is copyrighted and trademarked, according to Rolling Stone. Details, inside... More »
recalls
1 Million Little Tikes Toy Cellphones Recalled
If you've got a kid and you don't want it to choke to death— make sure its not playing with the Little Tikes Chit ‘N Chat Toy Cell Phone. The CPSC is recalling about a million of these toys because there's a piece that can break off and pose a choking hazard. More »
consoles
Toys"R"Us' website may claim to have Wiis in stock, but as reader Nick discovered yesterday, they don't. Nick ordered the elusive console first thing yesterday morning, but Toys"R"Us quickly sent an email explaining that the Wii was backordered and unavailable. As of this morning, Toys"R"Us' website still inexplicably lists the Wiis as "In Stock."
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Toys"R"Us Pretends To Have Wiis In Stock, Disappoints Customers
Toys"R"Us' website may claim to have Wiis in stock, but as reader Nick discovered yesterday, they don't. Nick ordered the elusive console first thing yesterday morning, but Toys"R"Us quickly sent an email explaining that the Wii was backordered and unavailable. As of this morning, Toys"R"Us' website still inexplicably lists the Wiis as "In Stock."
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unpleasant
Reader Patricia says she bought a fire truck for her son for Easter, and while she was unwrapping the toy — out fell a used crack pipe. She contacted the store and they brushed her off, promising that someone would get back to her... but no one ever did. Now she's come to us for a little recognition that crack pipes aren't supposed to be included with children's toys.
Here's her story:
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Big Lots Fire Truck Comes With Free (Used) Crack Pipe
Reader Patricia says she bought a fire truck for her son for Easter, and while she was unwrapping the toy — out fell a used crack pipe. She contacted the store and they brushed her off, promising that someone would get back to her... but no one ever did. Now she's come to us for a little recognition that crack pipes aren't supposed to be included with children's toys.
Here's her story:
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toxic toys
Mattel Losing Money As Manufacturing Costs Rise
Mattel is losing money as manufacturing costs in China rise, according to Bloomberg:Sales of Barbie fell 12 percent in the U.S. as the 49-year- old doll faced competition from Hannah Montana and Ganz's Webkinz. Mattel, which recalled more than 21 million Chinese-made products in 2007, expects Chinese manufacturing costs to rise further. The yuan has climbed 10 percent against the dollar over the past 12 months, and inflation in China is near an 11-year high.More »
worst company in america
Round 25: Bank Of America vs Toys R' Us
This is Round 25 in our Worst Company in America contest, Bank of America vs Toys R' Us. Vote which sucks more, inside...
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bad deals
Dylan writes:
This Toys "R" Us Discount Is Of Dubious Value
Dylan writes:I saw this today at the Toy"R"Us store in Elizabeth, New Jersey and though you folks would be interested. This Lego kit (the Exo Force Sentai Fortress Battle Set) has a sign that indicates its original price was $19.99 and that it is on sale for $69.98. The sign helpfully indicates that this is a savings of negative $49.We've seen fifty-cent adjustments in the wrong direction, but fifty dollars? That's pushing it.
we are curmudgeons
Toys "R" Us Carries Lower Back Tattoo Stickers Perfect For Your Trampy Kid
Got a trampy little kid that isn't quite ready to get inked? No problem. Toys "R" Us has lower-back tattoo stickers for little miss thing. More »
product safety
Senate Votes For Safer Products, Approves Consumer Product Safety Commission Overhaul
The Senate finally voted last week to send the ailing Consumer Product Safety Commission desperately needed funds, staff, and powers. The overdue reform bill passed with bipartisan support on a 79-13 vote. More »
misleading
Is It Legal To Use Out Of Date List Prices For Comparison On Sales?
Last week we pointed out how Apple artificially inflates the discount of its refurbished units by using the original introductory list price as a comparison, even if the price has since dropped and the true list price is now lower. Now a reader writes in to say he caught Toys R Us doing the same thing on sale prices of Playstation 3 bundles and 30 gig Zunes. Our question: is this legal? New York City's consumer protection law seems to imply that—at least for retailers doing business in NYC—it's not, unless you clearly indicate the trail of price reductions, something neither company is doing. More »
potty mouth toys
Mom Upset Over "Death Threat" Elmo
Little James here loves Elmo. In fact, his entire house is filled with every Elmo toy you could possibly imagine and even a few you can't. One of these beloved Elmos is a model that you can program with your computer to say your kids name. Recently, James' mother replaced the batteries in "Elmo Knows Your Name" and is now convinced that the doll is homicidal. More »
safety
Toys "R" Us Announces New Safety Guidelines
Reader and commenter jurijuri says:Just got this email from Toys 'R' Us in my inbox and thought you'd be interested. I'm normally pretty skeptical about corporate promises like this, but if they implement these changes I'm going to be pretty impressed.More »
lead contamination
Members Of Congress Implore Mattel To "Do The Right Thing," Recall Lead-Tainted Toy Blood-Pressure Cuff
56 Members of Congress want to know why Mattel CEO Robert Eckert refuses to issue a nationwide recall for a toy blood-pressure cuff that is contaminated with lead. The affected blood-pressure cuff, sold as part of the Fisher-Price Medical Kit, was recalled exclusively in Illinois after Mattel received a complaint from State Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Legislators want Eckert to stand by a pledge made to reassure a jittery public before the holiday buying season that Mattel would 'earn back our trust with deeds, not just with words.' More »
lead
Toy Maker Reluctantly Agrees To Recall Leadly "Jammin Jenna" Dolls
A toy-maker who refused to issue a recall for its lead-tainted toys has reversed its position. TY made some "Jammin Jenna" dolls with that were found to have more lead than 600 parts per million Illinois state limit. In response to recall requests, TY said it didn't have to because they said federal law supersedes state law. However, the state AG and federal CPSC responded that states are allowed to adopt more restrictive laws in the absence of federal regulation. TY will pull the Jammin Jena dolls and replace their leadly shiny red vinyl shoes with cloth ones.
Ty takes high-lead doll out of stores [Chicago Tribune]
PREVIOUSLY: Toy Makers Refuse To Recall Leaded Toys
chinese poison train
Thomas The Tank Engine Makers Settle Class Action With Free Toys
Thomas the Tank Engine makers have settled a class-action-lawsuit against for $30 million, stemming from their production of anthropomorphic toy trains brought to life with lead-tainted paint. Under the terms, RC2 will give cash refunds or replacement toys, plus a "bonus" toy. Hopefully this time RC2 will check to make sure the apology choo-choos aren't lead-tainted as well.
Maker of Thomas toys settles suit on lead paint [Chicago Tribune]
toys
Toy Makers Refuse To Recall Leaded Toys
Several toy makers are refusing to issue recalls for their toys, even though tests have proved they contain over 500 times the legal limit for lead. One says that it's leadly charm bracelets are not toys and therefore not subject to toy rules. Ty, which famously makes Beanie Babies, is refusing to pull "Jammin' Jenna," because while state law bans vinyl toys with more lead than 600 parts per million limit, the federal law doesn't - an argument that won't go over well with the attorney general's office, or parents.
Toymaker fights state recall [Chicago Tribune]
vidoes
Shank Found Inside Mattel Polly Pocket Toy
Here's a story that makes you wonder what sort of tools the workers at Mattel's factories use. A "shank" (a blade wrapped in electrical tape, to be exact) was found inside a sealed Polly Pocket toy purchased at Walmart.
Mattel apologized for the incident, saying:
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